
ILOILO City – Healthcare professionals are being urged to leverage social media in promoting heart health awareness.
Dr. Rodney Jimenez, president of the Philippine Heart Association-Philippine College of Cardiology (PHA-PCC), emphasized the importance of combating misinformation and using digital platforms to share accurate health information.
Jimenez spoke at the recent PHA-PCC Midyear Convention at the Iloilo Convention Center here.
With over four billion active users across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WeChat, social media is a powerful tool for spreading health messages, said Jimenez.
However, he warned that social media also serves as a breeding ground for misinformation particularly targeting vulnerable groups such as older individuals, predominantly women, who are more susceptible to false health claims.
“Doctors must step in and control the narrative,” Jimenez said. “If we don’t share legitimate heart health news, someone else will fill the void with misinformation.”
Jimenez, an interventional cardiologist and assistant professor at UERMMC College of Medicine, also shared tactics used by creators of fake health news to make their content viral, noting that such misinformation often appeals to emotions and simplifies complex health issues.
He encouraged doctors to proactively engage in digital advocacy by creating professionally curated content, such as short, engaging videos on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The PHA has already been producing heart health content to counteract misinformation. Jimenez provided strategies for effective online advocacy, including focusing on high-quality, fact-based content, creating simple and shareable videos, using impactful captions, and upholding ethical standards to ensure patient privacy and responsible handling of negative comments.
Jimenez urged doctors to avoid direct engagement with misinformation. Responding to false claims can amplify them, he explained.
He concluded with a call to action: “Your voice can save lives. Start small but be consistent in using social media to advocate for cardiovascular health.”/PN